Read more: 9 Basement Revamp Mistakes to Avoid
“Buyers will definitely poke their heads down in this cold, dark place,” notes an article at realtor.com®. “So, imagine their pleasant surprise when it’s actually a functional, comfortable room where they might even want to hang out.”
Here are a few tips:
Declutter: The basement can be prime spot for towers of boxes and piles of belongings. “Make sure the space is organized and doesn’t appear to be a dumping ground,” Katie McCann, a professional organizer with Maeve’s Method, told realtor.com®. Add storage bins or shelving to give everything its place. And instead of showing it as a dumping ground show it as the perfect spot for organized storage.
Add some cosmetic improvements: “This part of the house often gets more wear and tear than the other rooms, so invest in new carpeting for a fresh feel and repaint the walls,” suggests Gale Sitomer of Gale Sitomer Interior Design in New York City.
Watch the smell: Address any musty odors. “Keep a fan on for circulation, and use subtle air fresheners as needed,” Lisa and Chris Gulliver with Showhomes suggests. For a damp basement, buy a dehumidifier.
Brighten up the space: Don’t let the space feel dark and cold. Sitomer suggests painting the walls an off-white, use light-colored window treatments, and adding in plenty of lamps to warm up the area.
Show the possibilities: “Where possible, try to include a spot to watch TV, a place to lounge at one end, and a kids’ play area a the other,” suggests Jack Menashe, an interior designer and owner of Menashe Design. He also recommends an open library wall in-between spaces as a stylish way to help define the separate areas.
Source: “Home Staging Ideas to Take Your Basement to the Top,” realtor.com® (Sept 16, 2016)
